Reclining article of furniture



Dec. 18, 1951 A. LORENZ RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 26,1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ BY HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 18,1951 LORENZ 2,578,708

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ SIS ATTORNEY Dec. 18, 1951 LORENZ 2,578,708

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 18, 1951 LORENZ 2,578,708

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 26, 1946 n 5 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 18, 1951 LORENZ 2,578,708

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 26, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 752FIG 27 M/ 5* 433$? Ma M \JQ 4 9) 2 W @332 I. W5 I 653 f @54 J e4e M?" 3(I 6Z2; /fi M5 6% I 9 6 :5 630 635 64/ a. /Z 42 55a 645 w 25 7 722 EikINVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 18, 1951 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE RECLINING ARTICLE or FURNITURE Anton Lorenz, Buffalo, N.Y. Application February 26, 1946, Serial No. 650,247

22 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to articles of furniture, and moreparticularly to a reclining article of furniture, wherein the seatandthe back-rest are swingably mounted on a support, and wherein aleg-rest is swingably mounted on the seat. a

object of the present invention is to provide an article of furniture ofabove described type with a mechanism, simple in construction, forcontrolling the movements of the seat and the leg rest in dependence onmovements of the back-rest.

'Another object of the present invention is to improve on theconstruction of articles of furniture of above described type as nowordinarily inade.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the inventionconsists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination ofvarious devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof.certain embodiments of the same being described in the specification andbeing illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of thisspecification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of-a reclining chair according to theinvention, a portion of the side wall of the support being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-'3 of Fig. 2, g I

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of another'en'v bodi'rnent of acontrolling member, which may be used instead of the controlling memberof the chair shown in Fig. 1, g

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a further" embodiment of a controllingmember which may be substituted for the controlling member of the chairshown in Fig. 1,

Fig.6 is an elevational view' of another embodiment of a contrdllingmember, which may be used in the chair shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a chairaccording to the invention, a portion of the side wall of the supportbeing broken away,

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of another einbodiinent of a controllingmember, which may be substituted for the controlling member of the chairshown in Fig. 7, V

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of a fiir'ther embodimentof a controllingmem er which may be used in the chair shown in Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is aside elevational view of another embodiment of a recliningchair according to the invention, a portion of the side wall of thesupport being broken away,

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the support of the chair shown in Fig.10, the controlling unit of the chair being mounted in said support,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a safety devicefor holding the controlling unit of the chair shown in Figs. 10 and 11in its place,

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of a controllingunit, which may be used in the chair shown in Fig. 10,

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a controllingunit which may be substituted for the controlling unit of the chairshown in Fig. 10,

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a controllingunit, which may be used in the chair shown in Fig. 10,

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a recliningchair according to the invention, a portion of the side wall of thesupport being broken away,

Fig. 17 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a controllingmember which may be substituted for the controlling member of the chairshown in Fig. 16,

Fig. 18 is an elevational view of a further em bodiment of a controllingmember, which may beused in the chair shown in Fig. 16,

Fig. 19 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of areclining chair according to the invention, a portion of the side wallof the support being broken away, V

Fig-2Q is an elevational view of the locking device of the chair shownin Fig. 19, i Fig; 21 is a sectional view of the locking device taken online 2|-2l of Fig. 20,

Fig. 22 is an elevationalview of a detail of the lockingdevice shown inFigs. 20 and 21,

Fig. 23 is a side elevational view of a lounget according to theinvention, a portion of the side frame of the support being broken away,

Fig. 24 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a recIiningchair according to the invention,-

3 illustrating the holding device of the chair in an enlarged scale,

Fig. 28 is a sectional view of the holding device shown in Fig. 27 takenon line 28-28 of Fig. 2'7, and

Fig. 29 is an elevational view of a diiferent embodiment of thecontrolling mechanism for the leg-rest which may be used in the chairshown in Fig. 26.

Referring now to Fig. 1, 30 generally indicates a casing-like support.The back-rest 3| and the seat 32 are coaxially pivoted to said support30 at 33. The back-rest 3| has a downward extension 34 substantiallyarranged in the center of the chair. The rear end of a connecting link35 is pivoted to said downward extension 34 of the back-rest 3| at 35,and the front end of said connecting link 35 is pivoted to the'lower endof a controlling link 37 at 38. The upper end of said controlling link31 is swingably mounted on a transverse rod 39 carried by the support30. One end of a first controlling arm 40 is rigidly connected with thecontrolling link 31 adjacent its swingable mounting 39, so that saidfirst controlling arm 43 positively participates in the movements of thecontrolling link 31. Likewise, one end of a second controlling arm 4| isrigidly connected with the controlling link 31 adjacent its swingablemounting 39 for positive participation in the movements of thecontrolling link. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. l thecontrolling link 31, the first controlling arm 45, and the secondcontrolling arm 4| form a controlling member generally indicated by 42,which consists of an integral piece of material. sired, however, thecontrolling link 3?, the first controlling arm 40, and. the secondcontrolling arm 4| could be made of separate pieces of material, whichare rigidly connected with each other in any suitable manner.

The first controlling arm 40 is provided with a controlling surface inthe shape of a rotatable roller 43 for displaceable engagement with thelower surface of the seat 32. The lower end of the second controllingarm 4| is'pivotally connected at 44 with one end of a controlling bar45, the other end of which is pivoted at 46 to a leg-rest 4'! swingablymounted on the front portion of the seat 32 at 48. The front wall of thesupport 30 is provided with a slot 49 for the passage of saidcontrolling bar and the second controlling arm 4| during movementsthereof.

When the occupant of the chair leans the weight of his body against theback-rest 3|, the latter may be swung about its pivot 33 into a reclinedposition, for example the extreme reclined position 3|. Said swingingmovement of the back-rest 3| causes a corresponding swinging movement ofthe controlling member 42 into the position 42 through the medium of theconnecting link 35 connecting the downward extension 34 of the back-restwith said controlling member 42. During said swinging movement of thecontrolling member 42 into the position 42', the roller 43 of thecontrolling arm 40 rolls along the lower surface of the seat 32 which isbrought into the position 32. Furthermore, during said movement of thecontrolling member 42 into the position 42, the leg-rest 41 is swunginto the position 41' through the medium of the controlling bar 45connecting the leg-rest 4'! with the second controlling arm 4| of thecontrolling member 42. When the movable members of the chair are in thereclined position 3|, 32', 41' shown in dash If deand dot lines, and theoccupant of the chair leans the weight of his body forward and/or exertswith his legs a slight pressure on the legs, the movable members of thechair will be returned into the sitting position shown in full linesthrough the positive control of the mechanism described above. Thus, aswill be readily understood, the controlling element 42 operativelyconnected with the seat 32 and the leg-rest 41 controls the movements ofsaid seat and said leg-rest in dependence on movements of the back-rest3|.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position bymeans of a looking device generally indicated by 50. As best shown inFigs. 1-3, said locking device 50 includes a clamping sleeve 5| slideabyengaged with a rod 52 attached to an arm-rest 53 swingably mounted onthe back-rest 3| at 54. The threaded end 55 of the rod 52 passingthrough a bore of a block 55 secured to the arm-rest 53 is threaded intoa threaded bore of another block 51 secured to the arm-rest 53. A bolt58 having a head 64 resting against asurface of a member 65 rigidly andimmovably connected at El (for example by Welding) with a side wall ofthe support 30 and having a square portion 59 engaged with acorresponding square aperture of said members 60 is engaged with bores52 of the clamping sleeve 5|, so that the latter may swing about saidbolt 58 when a locking knob 63 screwed on the threaded end of the bolt58 is loosened. Thus, when said locking knob 63 is loosened, theclamping sleeve 5| and the rod 52 form cooperating sliding means forguiding the arm-rest 53, so that the latter may be brought into theposition 53', for example, when the back-rest 3| is brought into thereclined position 3|. When, however, the locking knob 63 is tightened onthe bolt 58 prevented from rotation by its square portion 59, the head64 of the bolt is pressed against the surface of the member 50 and theclamping sleeve 5| is tightly pressed on the rod 52, so that the armrest53 and the other movable members of the chair connected with saidarm-rest are held in a predetermined position.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair, which is shownin full lines in Fig. 1, is limited by the upper edge of the support 30on which the seat 32 comes to a rest. The extreme reclined position ofthe movable members of the chair, which is shown in dash and dot linesin Fig. l, is limited by an abutment of the clamping sleeve 5| againstthe surface 65 of the block 51- secured to the arm-rest 53 (see Fig. 3).

Fig. 4 illustrates a different embodiment of a controlling member 4211which may be used in the chair shown in Fig. 1 instead of thecontrolling member 42. According to Fig. 4 the controlling member 42a isin the shape of a plate having a bore 38a for a pivotal connection withthe connecting link, having a bore 39a forengag'ement with thetransverse rod, having a bore 43a for receiving the shaft carrying theroller, and having a bore 44a for pivotal connection with thecontrolling bar.

Furthermore, a recess may be out along the dash and'dot lines 66a intothe plate 42a shown in Fig. 4, whereby another embodiment of acontrolling member for use in the chair shown in Fig. 1 is obtained.

Fig. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a plate-like controlling member421), which may be used instead of the controlling member 42 of thechair shown in Fig. 1.

The controlling member 12b shown in Fig. 5 may be obtained bycutting'two recesses into the plate 42a shown in Fig. 4. The 'full plateis indicated in Fig. 5 by cash and dot lines. i

1 Fig. 6 illustrates-a further embodiment of a plate-like controllingmember 420, which may be substituted for the controlling member 42 shownin Fig. 1. The controlling member 420 shown in Fig. 6 may be obtained bycutting a recess into a plate of the shape shown in Fig. 4. The fullplate is indicated in Fig. 6 by dash and dot lines.

- Fig. 7-illustrates a further embodiment of a reclining chair accordingto the invention. According to said Fig. 7 the back-rest [3| is pivotedto the support I36 at I33, and the rear portion of the seat I32 ispivoted to the support I at I61 at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection I33 between the back-rest |3l and the support I33. chairshown in Fig. 7 is substantially the same as the mechanism of the chairshown in Fig. 1 with the exception, that the second controlling arm MIis rigidly connected with an intermediate point of the first controllingarm Mil. indicates the downward extension of the backrest i3l, 135 isthe connecting link, I3! is the controlling link of the controllingmember I42 swingably mounted on the support I30 at I39.

The first controlling arm I carries the roller I43 for displaceableengagement with the seat I32. I is the controlling bar connecting thesecond controlling arm I41 with the leg-rest l4! swingablymounted on theseat I32 at [46.

When the back-rest I3! is swung into the extremereclined position l3l',the seat 32 and the leg-rest I41 are brought into the reclined positionsI32 and M1 respectively, by means of the controlling mechanism describedin detail in connection with Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 illustrates a diiferent embodiment of a controlling member l42d,which may be substitut'ed for the controlling member I42 of the chairshown in Fig. '7. According to Fig. 8, the second controlling arm ltldis rigidly-connected with an intermediate point of the controlling linkI3'Id.

Fig. 9 illustrates a further embodiment of a controlling member 1426,which may be substituted for the controlling member I42 of the chairshown in Fig. 7. According to Fig. 9, the first controlling arm Mile andthe second controlling arm Mle are rigidly connected with intermediatepoints of the controlling link l3le.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Fig. 10 theback-rest 23! and the seat 232 are coaxially pivoted to the support 233at 233. On each side of the chair one end of a connecting link 235 ispivoted to the downward extension 23 5 of the back-rest 232 at 236. Theother end of each connecting link 235 is pivoted at 238 to a controllinglink 23'! forming a part of a controlling member 242 including the firstcontrolling arm 240 and the second controlling arm 2M. As best shown inFig. 11, both controlling members 242 are rigidly connected with atransverse rod23 rotatably arranged in recesses 263 of the side walls ofthe support 239. The two controlling members 242 and the transverse rod239 rigidly. connected with each other form a controlling unit generallyindicated by 269. When the parts of the chair are assembled, saidcontrolling unit 269 may be readily inserted into the recesses 268 fromabove. The controlling unit 269 is held in its position by The remainingmechanism of the 6 means of safety blocks 21D attached to the side wallsof the support 230 by screws 2' as best shownin Fig. 12. Collars 2T2mounted on the transverse rod 239as shown in Fig. 11 preventthecontrolling unit 269 from axial displacement. 1

As best shown in Fig. 10, the first controlling arm 240 of eachcontrolling member 2 22 is pivoted at 213 to one end of a controllingrod 214, the other end of which is pivoted at 215 to the seat 232.Furthermore, the second controlling arm 24I of each controlling member222 is pivoted at 244 to one end of a controlling bar'245, the other endof which is pivoted at 2 38 to a legrest 241 swingably mounted on theseat 232 at 2158. The front wall of the support 230 is provided with aslot 249 for the passage of both controlling bars 2&5 and-secondcontrolling arms 24!. e

When the back-rest 253i is swung into the extreme reclined position 23!,the controlling unit 269 is swung into the position. 259 by means of thetwo connecting links 235. Said Swinging movement of the controllin unit259 causes a lifting of the seat 232 into the position 232 by means ofthe two controlling rods 214 and a displacement of the leg-rest 25! intothe position 247 by means of the two controlling bars 245-.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position bymeans of the locking device 252, which is arranged on the member 269 andis of the same construction as the locking device described above inconnection with Figs. 1-3. lhe sitting position of the movable membersof the chair is limited by an abutment of the seat 232 against the upperedgeof the support 230, and the extreme re clined position of themovable members of the chair is limited by an element of the lockingdevice 25 in cooperation with a member of the arm-rest 253 as describedabove in connection with Figs. 1-3.

Fig. 13 illustrates a diilerent embodiment of a guiding unit 26% whichmay be substituted for the guiding unit 269 of the chair shown in Figs.10 and 11. According to Fig. 13, the guiding unit, 269] is made of anintegral piece of mate rial.

Fig. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of a guiding unit 269g, whichmay be substituted for the guiding unit 269 of the chair shown in Figs.

1 0 and 11. According to Fig. 14 two controlling links 237p and twofirst controlling arms i lilly are rigidly connected with the red 23%.Furthermore, a single second controlling arm ,24lg is rigidly connectedwith said rod 258g substantially at the center thereof. Of course, ifthe guiding unit 263g shown in Fig. 14 is used, there will be only asingle controlling bar for connecting same with the leg-rest.

Fig. 15 illustrates a further embodiment of a controlling unit 26%,which may be substituted for the controlling unit 259 of the chair shownin Figs. 10 and 11. According to Fig. 15, two controlling links 23771and two second controlling arms 24th are ri idly connected with the rod23%. Furthermore, a single first control ling arm 24th is rigidlyconnected with said rod 23% substantially at the center thereof. Ofcourse, if the controlling unit 26th shown in Fig. 15 is used, therewill be only a single controlling rod connecting the first controllingarm 26bit with the seat.

According to the embodiment of a chair shown in Fig. l6 the back-rest33l pivoted to the support 330 at the point 333 has a downward extension334vsubstantially in the center of the chair. The rear portion of theseat 332 is pivoted to the support 330 at 361 at a point spaced on thepivotal connection 333 between the back-rest 33! and the support 330.The upper end of a controlling link 331 being in the form of a bent linkis swingably mounted on the support 330 at 339. One end of a connectinglink 335 is pivotally connected with the controlling link 331 by meansof a pin 338, and the other end of said connecting link 335 is pivotallyconnected with the downward extension 34 of the back-rest 33! at 336.The lower end of a controlling bar 345 is pivotally connected with saidbent controlling link by means of a pin 344. The other end of saidcontrolling bar 345 is pivoted at 346 to the legrest 341 swingablymounted on the seat 332 at 348. A controlling arm 349 integral with orrigidly connected with the bent controlling link 311 is pivotallyconnected with one end of a controlling rod 314 by means of a pin 313.The other end of said controlling rod 314 is pivoted to the seat 332 at315. When the backrest 33! is swung into the extreme reclined position33!, the controlling element 342 formed by the controlling link 331 andthe controlling arm 349 is swung into the position 342. Said swingingmovement of the controlling element 342 causes a lifting of the seat 332into the position 332' by means of the controlling rod 314 and adisplacement of the leg-rest 341 into the position 341' by means of thecontrolling bar 345.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position bymeans of the locking device 359 which is arranged on the member 369 andis of the same construction as the locking device 50 described above inconnection with Figs. 1-3. The sitting position of the movable membersof the chair, which is shown in full lines in Fig. 16, is limited by anabutment of the seat 332 on the upper edge of the support 339. Theextreme reclined position of the movable members of the chair shown indash and dot lines in Fig. 16 is limited by a member of the lockingdevice 358 in cooperation with a member of the arm-rest 353 as describedabove in connection with Figs. 1-3.

According to Fig. 16 the downward extension 334 of the back-rest isprovided with a series of holes 316 for selective engagement with thepin 336. Likewise, the connecting link 335 and the controlling link 331are provided with series of holes 311 and 318 respectively for selectiveengagement with the pin 338. Moreover, the controlling link 331 and thecontrolling bar are provided with a series of holes 319 and 389respectively for selective engagement with the pin 344. Furthermore, thecontrolling arm 348 is provided with a series of holes 38! for selectiveengagement with the pin 313. As will be readily understood, theefiective lengths of the various elements of the mechanism may be variedand adjusted by inserting the pins 336, 338, 344, 313 in one or theother hole of the series of holes 316, 311, 318, 319, 383, 39!, wherebyvariations of the relative positions between the back-rest, seat, and/orleg-rest may be obtained.

Fig. 1'1 illustrates a diiferent embodiment of a controlling member 342!i, which may be used in the chair shown in Fig. 16 instead of thecontrolling element 342. According to Fig. 17 a controlling arm 3411'having a bore 3442' for pivotal connection with the controlling bar isrigidly connected with one armof thebent controlling link 8 331i havinga bore 3131' for pivotal connection with the controlling rod, having abore 338i for pivotal connection with the connecting link and having abore 33912 for the swingable mounting on the support.

Fig. 18 illustrates a further embodiment of a. controlling member 3427'which may be substituted for the controlling member 342 of the chairshown in Fig. 16. According to Fig. 18 the arm 3489' having a bore 3137'for pivotal connection with the controlling rod is rigidly connectedwith the upper end of a bent controlling link 3311' having a bore 339for the swingable mounting on the support of the chair, having a bore338? for pivotal connection with the connecting link, and having a bore3447' for pivotal connection with the controlling bar.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Fig. 19 theback-rest 43! and the seat 432 are coaxially pivoted to the support 430at 433. On each side of the chair one end of a connecting link 435 ispivoted to the downward extension 434 of the back-rest 43! at 436. Theother end of each connecting link is pivoted at 438 to a telescopiccontrolling link 431. Each telescopic controlling link 431 forms a partof a controlling member 442 comprising a first telescopic controllingarm 44!! and a second telescopic controlling arm 44!.

One end of a controlling rod 414 is pivoted to each first controllingarm 448 at 413, the other end of said controlling rod 414 is pivoted tothe seat 432 at 415.

A leg-rest 441 swingably mounted on the seat 432 at 448 has an upwardextension 482 on'each side of the chair. Furthermore, on each side ofthe chair one end of a controlling bar 445 is pivoted to said extension482 at 483, the other end of such a controlling bar 445 being pivoted tothe second controlling arm 44! at 444.

When the back-rest 43! is swung into the extreme reclined position 43!,each controlling member 442 is swung into the position 442'. Saidswinging movement of the controlling member into the position 442 causesa lifting of the sheet 432 into the position 432' by means of thecontrolling rods 414 and a displacement of the legrest 441 into theposition 441' by means of the controlling bars 445. 7

The movable members of the chair ma be held in any desired position, forexample above described extreme reclined position or any otherintermediate reclined position, by means of a locking device generallyindicated by 484. As best shown in Figs. 20 and 21, said locking device484 comprises a member 485 swingably mounted at 486 on a lug 481 securedto the seat 432. The member 485 is provided with a longitudinal slot 488engaged with a bolt 489 having a square portion 499 engaged with 2.corresponding square aperture of an element 49!. Said element 49-! has alug 492 on each side for abutting engagement with the member 485, whichis in slidable engagement with said element 49!. The

' head 493 of the bolt 489 rests against a surface of the element 49!.The bolt 489 passes through the bore 494 of a disk 495, through a bore496 of a side wall of the support 430, and through a bore 491 of amember 498 attached to the side wall of the support 438 by screws. Alocking knob 499 is screwed on the threaded end of said bolt 489-. Thesquare portion 498 of the bolt 489 prevents the latter from rotationwhen the looking knob 499 is turned. As best shown in Fig.

22, the surface of the disk 495 is knurled, so as to increase thefriction between said disk 495 and the member 485 when the locking knob499 is tightened for pressing the various members and elements of thelocking device against each other so as to hold the seat 432 and theother movable members of the chair in a predetermined position. When thelocking knob 499 is loosened, the member 585 may freely slide along thebolt 585, so that the movable members of the chair may be readily movedfrom one position into another one.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair shown in fulllines in Fig. 19 is limited by the upper edge of the support 430, onwhich the seat 332 comes to a rest. The extreme reclined position 53!,432', 551 of the back-rest, seat, and leg-rest shown in dash and dotlines in Fig. 19 is limited by an abutment of the edge 45!) of the slot483 of the member 485 against the bolt 485 of the locking device 484.The telescopic construction of the controlling link 45'! and the twocontrolling arms 44!]. 4 permits an'easy adjustment of the effectivelength of said controlling link and controlling arms, if desired.

Fig. 23 illustrates a reclining lounget according to the invention. Thetubular side frames 55!, 562 of the support 53!! are connected with eachother by tubular bracing members 553, 554, 505. The support 530 may berolled along the ground by means of wheels 5556 journalled insuitablebearing's of the support.

The back-rest 53! and the seat 532 are coaxi ally pivoted to the support53! at 533. The downward extension 534 of the back-rest 55! is pivotedto one end of the connecting link 535 at 536. The other end of saidconnecting link 535 is pivoted at 538 to the controlling link 53?forming a part of the controlling member 5 32 swingably mounted on thesupport 530 at 539.

The first controlling arm 545 of said controlling member 552 is rigidlyconnected with an intermediate point of the second and telescopiccontrolling arm 54! of said controlling member. The first controllingarm 55!! is provided with a controlling surface in the shape of .arotatable roller 543 for displaceable engagement with the seat 532.Likewise, the second controlling arm 54! is provided with a controllingsurface in the shape of a rotatable roller 50'! for displaceableengagement with the leg-rest 5G? swingably mounted on the seat 552 at548.

When the back-rest 53! is swung into the extreme reclined position 53!,the controlling member 552 is swung into the position 542'by means ofthe connecting link 535. Said swinging movement of the controllingmember 542 causes a lifting of the seat 532 into the position 532' and'adisplacement of the leg-rest 54'! into the position 55'! by means of therollers 543 and 50? rolling alongthe seat and leg-rest respectively. I

A different position of the leg-rest 54'! relative to the seat 532 maybe obtained by an adjustment of the eifective length of the telescopiccontrolling arm 54!.

The sitting position of the movable members shown in full lines islimited by the bracing member 555 cooperating with the seat 532, and theextreme reclined position of the movable members is limited by thebracing member 553 cooperating with the back-rest.

The rollers 543 and 55! of the controlling element 542 are in looseengagement with the seat 552 andthe leg-rest 5 ilrespectively. In orderto prevent a collapsing of the mechanism including the back-rest 53!,the extension 534 of the back-rest, the connecting link 535, and thecontrolling element 542 in a forward direction, when the seat 532 is inits sitting position and the user of the chair gets up from the chairsupporting himself on the arm-rests 553 rigidly connected with theback-rest by screws 558, a stop 559 is arranged on the support 535 forabutting engagement with the second controlling arm 54! Of thecontrolling member 542, when the seat 532 is in said sitting position.Of course, said stop 509 could be arranged at another place of thesupport for cooperation with another member of the mechanism 534, 535,542, and furthermore, said stop could be arranged at a member of saidmechanism 534, 535, 552 for cooperation with another member of saidmechanism.

According to Fig. 24 the back-rest 63! having a downward extension Us ispivoted to the support 539 at 533. The seat 532 is pivoted to thesupport 535 at 65? at a point spaced from the ivotal connection 533between the back-rest 53! and the support 635. One end of a connectinglink 535 is pivoted to the extension 535 of the back-rest at 635. Theother end of said connecting link 635 is pivoted at 538 to a controllingmember 552 swingably mounted on the support 5 at 533. Said controllingmember 552 comprises the controlling link 63?, the first controlling arm545 and the second controlling arm 55! being integral with each other.One end of a controlling rod 556i is pivoted to the first controllingarrn 545 at 513. The other end of said controlling rod 5'! is pivotallyconnected with a lug 555 of the seat 552 by means of a pin 515. The seat532 is provided with additional lugs 5!! having bores EH2. If desired,the pin 555 may be disengaged from the bore of the lug Bill and may beinserted into one of the bores N2 of one or the lugs 6! whereby therelative position between the seat 532 and the back-rest 63! may bechanged.

The leg-rest 55'! swingably mounted on the seat 632 at 653 is pivoted at556 to one end of a controlling bar 855. The other end of saidcontrolling bar 555 is pivoted at bit to one end of an adjusting elementor bar H3 (see Figs. 24. and 25), the other end of which is swingablymounted on the second controlling arm 55! at 554. A stop 5i5 secured tothe controlling arm 64! by screws is arranged for engagement with theswingable adjusting bar Sis so as to hold same in align-ment with thecontrolling arm 55! as shown in full lines in Fig. 24.

When the back-rest 63! is swung about its pivot 533 into the extremereclined position 53! shown in dash and dot lines, above describedmechanisms cause a movement of the other movable members of the chairinto the positions likewise shown in dash and dot lines, i. e. the

seat and the leg-rest are brought into the posi tions 532' and Ml.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position bymeans of the locking device 555 which is mounted on the element 555 andis of the same construction as the locking device 55 described above inconnection with Figs. 1-3.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair is limited byan abutment of the 532 against the upper edge of the support, and theextreme reclined position of the movable members of the chair is limitedby a mem- (5 her of the locking device 555 in cooperation with anelement of the arm-rest 553 as described above in connection with Figs.1-3.

As mentioned above, the adjusting bar 513 is swingable about the pivot6:4. If the backrest and seat are held in a predetermined position, forexample the sitting position shown in full lines in Fig. 24 by means ofthe locking device 653, the leg-rest 641 may be swung by hand about itspivot 648 into the position 647", wherein the controlling bar and theadjusting bar are in the positions 645", M3" in alignment with eachother. Now, when a slight pressure is exerted on the leg-rest, forexample by the legs of the occupant resting in the chair, thecontrolling bar and the adjusting bar are moved beyond said straightline, until a stop 6H5 secured to the adjusting bar 613 by screws abutsagainst the controlling bar, whereby said elements are locked and heldin a predetermined position relative to each other.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Fig. 26, theback-rest I3l is pivoted to the support I35 at I33. The rear portion ofthe seat I32 is pivoted to the support at I61 at a point spaced from thepivotal connection I33 between the back-rest I3! and the support I39. Oneach side of the chair one end of a connecting link I35 is pivoted tothe downward extension I34 of the back-rest I3! at I36. The other end ofeach connecting link I35 is pivoted at I38 to a controlling link I31,the upper end of which is swingably mounted on the support I38 at I39.One end of a first controlling arm I42 is rigidly connected with eachcontrolling link 73! at the upper end thereof, and the other end of eachfirst controlling arm I46 is pivoted at I13 to a controlling rod I'Mpivoted to the seat I32 at I15. A leg-rest I41 is swingably mounted onthe seat I32 at I48. One end of a first controlling bar H1 is pivoted atI44 to a second controlling arm I4! being integral with the controllinglink 131. The other end of said first controlling bar HT is pivoted atH8 to one end of a second controlling bar H9. The other end of said.second controlling bar H9 is pivoted to the seat I32 at the pivot pointI43 between the leg-rest I41 and the seat. The second controlling bar H9is provided with a controlling surface 120 of cam-like shape (see Figs.26 and 27). Said controlling surface I26 is arranged for loose contactwith a leg-rest I41, which may be held against said controlling surfaceby means of a spring (not shown). When the leg-rest is in contact withsaid controlling cam surface I28, the movements of the leg-rest arecontrolled by said controlling surface I21! of the controlling barmechanism HI, H9 connected with the second controlling arm I l! of thecontrolling element I 32, which is formed by the second controlling armMl, the controlling link 13? and the first controlling arm I46, and

.which, in turn, is controlled by the connecting link I35 associatedwith the downward extension I34 of the back-rest T31. Thus, when theback-rest I3! is swung about its pivot I33 into the reclined positionI3l', the leg-rest I4? will be brought into the position I47, and theseat I32 will be brought into the position I32, the latter through themedium of the controlling rod 114 connected with the first controllingarm I40 of the controlling element I42.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position bymeans of the locking device I84 of the type shown in Figs. and 21 whichalso serves to limit the extreme reclined position of the chair asdescribed above. The sitting position of the movable members of thechair is limited by an abutment of the seat I32 against the upper edgeof the support 130. If desired, the leg-rest I41 may be movedindependently of the second controlling bar I l 9 relative to the seatI32, as the leg-rest I41 is in loose engagement with the controllingsurface I20. ample, the leg-rest I41 may be brought into the position147", while the other members of the chair remain in the position shownin full lines. The leg-rest may be held in said position 141" by meansof a holding device generally indicated by I2l. As best shown in Figs.2'? and 28, said holding device I2l comprises a rod I22 slideablyarranged in a clamping sleeve I23 engaged with a bolt I24 inserted withits square portion I25 into a square aperture of a lug I26 mounted onthe seat I32. Said square portion I25 prevents the bolt I24 fromrotation when an adjusting knob I2I threaded on the threaded end portionof the bolt I24 is turned. When the adjusting knob 12! is loosened, therod I22 may be displaced for engagement with the leg-rest in itselevated position 141". Upon a tightening of the adjusting knob I21, theclamping sleeve I23 is tightened on the rod I22 for holding same and theleg-rest in its position. When the movable members of the chair arebrought from the sitting position into a reclined position, the leg-restwill remain in the adjusted position 141 relative to the seat I32, untilthe controlling cam I20 of the second controlling bar H9 abuts againstthe leg-rest I47, whereupon the controlling cam I20 controls themovements of the leg-rest and displaces same relative to the seat.

Fig. 29 illustrates a different embodiment of a control of the leg-restI41, which may be substituted for the leg-rest control shown in Figs. 26and 27. According to Fig. 29, the first controlling bar III is providedwith a cam-like control surface I2B in loose contact with the leg-restpivoted to the seat I32 at I48 for controlling the movements of theleg-rest. Of course, the leg-rest 14! may be disengaged from saidcontrolling surface I28 and may be held in a predetermined position 141"relative to the seat I32 by the holding device 12!, which is of theconstruction described above in connection with Figs. 27 and 28.

It is understood, that certain parts, elements, or mechanisms shown in acertain figure may be substituted for corresponding parts, elements, ormechanisms of the embodiments shown in other figures of the drawings.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it isunderstood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration, andthat various omissions or changes in shape, proportion, and arrangementof parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for thoseherein shown and described, may be made without department from thespirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-restpivotally mounted on said support, said back-rest having a downwardextension, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mountedon said support, a controlling member, said controlling member beingswingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection between the backrest and the support, a connecting link, saidconnecting link being pivoted at its rear end to said.

extension of the back-rest below the pivotal con- For exnection. betweenthe back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion tosaid controlling member, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the frontportion of said seat, first means positioned between said controllingmemberand said seat and in operative engagement with each to effectmovement of said seat incoordination with said controlling member, andsecond means positioned between said controlling member and saidleg-rest and in operative engagement with, each to effect movement ofsaid leg-rest in coordination with said controlling member.

2. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-restpivotally mounted on said support, said back-rest having a downwardextension, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mountedon said support, a controlling link, said controlling link beingswingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection between the bank-rest and the support, a connecting link,said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to said extension ofthe back-rest below the pivotal connection between the back-rest and thesupport and being'pivoted at its frontportion to said controlling link,a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion'of said seat, a firstcontrolling arm, one end of said first controlling arm being fixedlyconnected with said controlling link, a second controllingarm, one endof said second controlling arm being fixedly connected with saidcontrolling link, first means positioned between the other end of saidfirst controlling arm and said seat and in operative engagement witheach to effect movement of said seat in coordination with said firstcontrolling arm, and second means positioned between the other end ofsaid second controlling arm and said leg-rest and in operativeengagement with each to effect movement of said leg-rest in coordinationwith said second controlling arm, I

3. Ina reclining article of furniture as'claimed in claim 1, said secondmeans including a controlling bar, one end of said controlling bar beingpivoted to said controlling member, the other end of said controllingbar being pivoted to said leg-rest.

4. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim'lysaid firstmeans including a controlling rod, one end of said controlling rod beingpivoted to said controlling member, the other end of said controllingrod being pivoted to said seat, said leg-rest having an upward extensionprojecting beyond the connection between the leg-rest and the seat, andsaid second means including a controlling bar, one end of saidcontrolling bar-"being pivoted to said controlling member above theconnection between the latter and the support, the other end of saidcontrolling bar being pivoted to said upward extension of the leg-rest.

5. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 2, said firstmeans including a controlling rod, one end of said controlling rod beingpivoted to said first controlling arm, the other end of said controllingrod being pivoted to said seat, said leg-rest having an upward extensionprojecting beyond the connection between the leg-rest and the seat, saidsecond controlling arm extending upwardly above the connection betweenthe controlling link and the support, and said second means including acontrolling bar, one end of said controlling bar being pivoted to saidsecond controlling arm, the other endof 7 14 said controlling bar beingpivoted to said upward extension of the legrest. 6. In a recliningarticle of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said first means including acontrolling rod, one end of said controlling rod being pivoted to saidcontrolling member, the other end of said controlling rod being pivotedto said seat.

7. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, saidsecond means including a controlling rod, one end of said controllingrod being pivoted to said controlling member, the other,

end of said controlling rod being pivoted to said seat,iand acontrolling bar, one end of said controlling bar being pivoted to saidcontrolling member, the other end of said controlling bar being pivotedto said leg-rest.

8. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 2, saidsecond means including a controlling bar, one end of said controllingbar being pivoted to said second controlling arm, the other end of saidcontrolling bar being pivoted to said end of said controlling bar beingpivoted to said.

leg-rest. 1

10. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-restpivotaily mounted on said'support, said back-rest having a downwardextension, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mountedon said support, a con trolling member, said controlling member beingswingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection between the back-rest and the support, a connectingdink, saidconnecting link being pivoted at its rear end portion to said extensionof the back-rest below the pivotal connection between the back-rest andthe support and being pivoted at its front end portion to saidcontrolling member, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion ofsaid seat, cooperating abutting surfaces on said controlling member andsaid seat movably engaged with each other to eifect movement of saidseat in coordination with said controlling member, and means positionedbetween said controlling member and said leg-rest to effect movement ofsaid leg-rest in coordination with said controlling member.

11. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 10, saidlast named means including additional cooperating abutting surfaces onsaid controlling member and said leg-rest movably engaged with eachother so as to effect the movement of the leg-rest in coordination withsaid controlling member.

12. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-restpivotally mounted on said support, said back-rest having a downwardextension, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mountedon said support, a controlling member, said controlling member beingswingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection between the backrest and the support, a connecting link, saidconnecting link being pivoted at its rear end portion to said extensionof the back-rest below the pivotal connection between the back-rest andthe support and being pivoted at its front end portion to saidcontrolling member, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion ofsaid seat, means positioned between said controlling member and saidseat to effect movement of said seat in coordination with saidcontrolling member, and cooperating abutting surfaces on saidcontrolling member and said leg-rest movably engaged with each other soas to effect movement of said leg-rest in coordination with saidcontrolling member.

13. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-restpivotally mounted on said support, said back-rest having a downwardextension, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mountedon said support, a controlling member, said controlling member beingswingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection between the backrest and the support, a connecting link, saidconnecting link being pivoted at its rear end portion to said extensionof the back-rest below the pivotal connection between the back-rest andthe support and being pivoted at its front end portion to saidcontrolling member, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion ofsaid seat, a first roller arranged on said controlling member andmovably engaged with said seat to effect movement of said seat incoordination with said controlling member, and a second roller arrangedon said controlling member and movably engaged with said leg-rest toeffect movement of said leg-rest in coordination with said controllingmember.

14. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-restpivotally mounted on said support, said back-rest having a downwardextension, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mountedon said support, a controlling member, said controlling member beingswingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection between the backrest and the support, a connecting link, saidconnecting link being pivoted at its rear end portion to said extensionof the back-rest below the pivotal connection between the back-rest andthe support and being pivoted at its front end portion to saidcontrolling member, a leg-rest swing-' ably mounted on the front portionof said seat, controlling means positioned between said controllingmember and said seat to effect movement of said seat in coordinationwith said controlling member, an adjusting bar swingably mounted on saidcontrolling member, a controllin bar pivoted at one of its end portionsto said adjusting bar and at its other end portion to said leg-rest, andmeans associated with said controlling mem-. ber and said adjusting barfor holding the latter in a predetermined position relative to saidcontrolling member.

15. In' a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 14, meansassociated with said adjusting bar and said controlling bar for holdingsaid adjusting bar in a predetermined position relative to saidcontrolling bar.

16. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 14, saidcontrolling means including a controlling rod pivoted at one of its endsto said controlling member and at its other end to said seat.

17. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-restpivotally mounted on said support, said back-rest havin a downwardextension, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mountedon said support, a controlling member, said controlling member beingswingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotalconnection between the backrest and the support, a connecting link, saidconnecting link being pivoted at its rear end portion to said extensionof the back-rest below the pivotal connection between the back-rest andthe support and being pivoted at its front end portion to saidcontrolling member, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion ofsaid seat, controlling means positioned between said controlling memberand said seat to effect movement of said seat in coordination with saidcontrolling member, a pair of pivotally connected first and secondcontrolling bars, the lower end portion of said first controlling barbeing piovted to said controlling member, the upper end portion of saidsecond controlling bar being pivoted to said seat, and cooperatingabutting surfaces onone of said controlling bars and said leg-rest toeffect movement of said leg-rest in coordination with said controllingmember.

18. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 17, theabutting surface of the leg-rest being disengageable from the associatedabutting surface of the controlling bar for independent movements of theleg-rest relative to the seat.

19. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 17, theabutting surface of the leg-rest being disengageable from the associatedabutting surface of the controlling bar for independent movements of theleg-rest relative to the seat, and a holding device associated with saidseat for cooperation with said leg-rest so as to hold the latter in apredetermined position relative to the seat during a disengagement ofits abutting surface from the abutting surface of the controlling bar.

20. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 17, saidabutting surfaces being arranged on said first controlling bar and saidleg-rest.

21. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 17, saidabutting surfaces being arranged on said second controlling bar and saidleg-rest.

22. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 17, thepivotal connections of the second controlling bar and of the leg-restwith the seat being in coaxial alignment with each other.

ANTON LORENZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthev file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 626,025 Jones May 30, 18992,276,053 Luckhardt et al. Mar. 10, 1942 2,353,838 Lorenz et al July 18,1944 2,433,521 Lorenz Dec. 30, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date206,571 Great Britain Nov. 5, 1923

